Telephone instrument.



S. L. VAN AKIN, Jn. TELEPHONIG INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10, 1901:.

982,450. I Patented Jan 24, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

S. L. VAN AKIN, JR. TELEPHONIO INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION mum MAR. 10, 190B.

M'fwesses- Patented Jan. 24, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- I 2* Kama S. L. VAN AKIN, JR. TBLEPHONIU INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1908.

Patented J an. 24, 1911.

3 BHEBTS-BHEET 3.

OFFICE.

sauonr. 1.. van AKIN, .13., or Lrvmoon, new Yoax.

'rnmrnomo ms'rammnr.

inclination of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 24, 1911.

Application filed March 10, 1908. Serial No. 420,258.

Toallwlwm'itmagcomemn Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. VAN AKIN, Jr., of Liverpool, in the county of Onon daga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telephonic Instruments, of whichthe following, taken in connection with the accomanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in telephonic instruments and is.

specially designed for train order and despatch service on railways and in similar reations where an extensive system of prlvate communication through more or less long distance is carried on, reference being had to my pending application No. 541,588, filed February 2 1910. v

The inadequacy and inefliciency of the present system of telegraphic communication, particularly in relation to the movement of trains and other railway equipment, has long been recognized and in my present invention I have not only sought to minimize the liability to error so common in the translations of the usual telegraphic codes but have also sought to render the work of the despatcher and other operators more expeditious and certain and less laborious by bringing the communicants into direct oral communication with each other through the medium of specially designed instruments which are adapted to be installed or placed in operative position upon any suitable oflice desk, table or other support.

In the use of the ordinary desk telephones, receiver caps and similar portable instruments, it is customary to connect the receiver and transmitter to se arate flexible cables of sufficient length to a 0rd a reasonable range of shifting movement for such instruments to conform to shifting positions of the operator. This leaves the greater portion of the cords or cables free to twist upon themselves and to coil around or become entangled with various objects upon the desk or table so that when the instruments are brought into use, such objects as ink bottles and other articles with which, the cords become entangled are upset or drawn from the desk or table a'nd frequently results in excessive strains upon the cords or oablessuflicient to break or loosen the connections with the fixed terminals or binding posts thereby rendering the service more or less unreliable and uncertain. This is particularly true of the flexible connections for the ordinary receiver which is hung upon the switch arm of the transmitter standard and which is frequentlg withdrawn or knocked from its support, y contact of the arm or hand with some part of the cable or receiver thereby resultmg in breaking such receiver or overstraimng the cord and its connections. Furthermore in the use of what is commonl known as a receiver cap, the o erator wi sometimes'turn from or hasti y leave his table beyond the Ian th of the cord or cable without removing t e cap which not only causes excessive strains upon the connec: tions but often results in the cap with the receiver thereon being forcibly drawn from the head and thrown to the floor and in contact with some other object with sufiicient force to break the instrument or its connec tions. Another serious disadvantage in the use of the ordinary desk telephone is that it is necessary to hold the receiver in one hand during a conversation thus leaving only one hand available for use in writin messages or performing other work whic may require both hands while at the same time the transmitter and its sup ortin standard, which must of necessity 8c in rout of the operator tend to obscurethe writing or other work which the writer may wish to perform.

My main object, therefore, is to obviate these objectionable features by installing upon the desk or table a swin ing support carrying both the receiver an transmitter and concealing therein, the greater portions of the connecting cables or cords and also having a reasonable range of vertical and lon itudinal adjustment so that the receiver and transmitter may be readily broughtinto operative position for conversation by'the simple swinging movement of thesupport.

Another object is to providea suitable switch brought into action by the manipulation of the swinging support for makin and breaking connection between the cal signals, telephonic instruments and line wire or wires. j

A further object is to provide means for locking the swinging su port in its adjusted position and to provi e the receiver with a frictionally retained flexing extension cari'ying an ear piece whereb the latter may be adjusted to conform to t e position of the car during conversation and a so for the purpose of reducing to a minimum the resonance orreverberation of sound from the transmitter to'the receiver or vice versa and also from the desk .to the instruments.

A still further object is to mount the receiver and transmitter upon the swinging support in such manner that both may be simultaneously reversed for use either with the left or right ear.

Other objects and uses will be brought out in the following description.

. In the drawings-Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved telephonic instrument showing in section a portion of a desk or table upon which it is mounted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevation partly 1n section of the instrument shown in Fig. 1 omitting the switch box. Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken respectively on lines 3-3, Fig. 1, and 4-4, Fig. 3, the receiver supporting arm be ing shown as rocked downwardly to the plane of the horizontal ortion of the swinging support while the oint between the receiver arm and swinging support is shown in top plan in Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and 6 are sectional views'at right angles to each other through the switch box, the switch terminals and their support being shown in section in Fig. 5.' Fi 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77, Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an elevation partly in section similar to Fig. 1 showing a slightly modified form of my invention. Fig. 9 is an enlarged front view partly in section similar to Fig. 2 of the device shown in Fig. 8. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are sectional views taken respectively on lines 10-10, 11--11, Fig. 8 an 12-12, Fig. 11.

In carrying out the objects stated I provide a rotary upri ht tubular standard -1 with a lateral horizontal offset 2- having a telescoping tubular extension 3-- carrying at its outer end a telephone transmitter 4-- and a vertically swinging tubular receiver arm -5 upon which is mounted a telephone receiver -6, the tubular parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 serving to receive and conceal the wires -7- which lead to and from the transmitter-4- and receiver -6-- thereby avoiding any possibility of the wires becoming twisted or entangled around objects upon the main support upon which the entire: instrument is mounted and also obviating all liability of overstraining the wire connections or lnjury to the transmitter and receiving instruments.

The tubular standard -1 is rotatable and adjustable axially in an upright bearing -8-- forming an integral art of a bottom plate -9-- which is secure to the top of a desk or table 1'0 having an opening --11 throu h which the tubular standard -1' exten s. This bottom plate -9- forms the base of a suitable switch .box hav- ,ing upright removable sides -12- rising some distance from and secured to the base plate -9-'and inelosing the adjacent portion of the tubular standard -1 and a suitable electric switch 13 comprising one or more circuit closers and an operating member 14- for actuating the circuit closers "-13-, the latter being electrically connected in the usual manner to cut the receiver 'into and out of the circuit as the standard 1- and parts carried thereby are rotated or swung to and from a normal position as will be presently described, the purpose being to cut the receiver out of circuit when the arm -2- is swung to one position andclose the circuit to the receiver when saidarm is swung to another position,

in this instance, at substantially right angles 7 to its normal position.

The upper end of the switch box is provided with a suitable cap 15- having a central aperture in which is journaled a collar -16 resting upon the top face of the ca 15' and having its central rtion passed through the central opening in said plate and threaded for receiving a screw threaded disk --17 which rides against the under side of the cap.

The collar -16- and its underlying retaining cap --17 are, therefore, locked to each other and engage opposite faces of the ca -15- to retain them against relative axial movement although they are free to rotate upon the cap and serve as an additional support for the tubular standard 1-- which is adjustable axially through the collar -16- and retaining disk -'17- and is held in its adjusted position by a set screw -18- which is engaged in a threaded aperture -19 in the hub 16 and enters a lengthwise slot -20 in the adjacent side of the standard 1- so that the standard 1- and disk 17- and also the hub 16- may always be placed in the same cirthe circuit closers -13- are opened when the arm -2 is swung to its normal position and automatically closed when swung to its operative position and comprising the disk -17- with one or more, in this instance two, diametrically opposite cams -21 so arranged that when the arm -2- carrying the receiver and transmitter is swung from its normal position to its operative position, one of the cams will be brought into engagement with theupper end of the switch member -'14- thereby depressing the latter against the action of a spring 22- to bring the contact terminals of the circuit closers -13 into contact 'cumferentia'l position relative to each other a sitting or standing with each other thereby closing the line circuit through the receiver and when swung to its normal position, said cams are forced out of engagement with the switch member -14 thus allowing the latter to be returned to its normal position by the spring 22 to allow the terminals of the circuit closers -13-'- to open and break electrical connection between the line and receiver. It is, therefore, ap arent that when it is desired to use'the te ephonic instrument it is simply necessary to swing it from its normal to its operative position by which operation, the receiver is cut into the line circuit and when returned'to its normal position, such receiver is cut out of the circuit.

The object in providing means for the vertical adjustment of the standard -1 and parts carried thereb is to permit the instrument to be used by the operator either in osition and the purpose of providing the disk 17- with a plurality of cams is to permit the instrument to be swung to its operative position to be used from different or opposite sides of the table and in order that it may be retained in its operative position against pressure of the ear against the receiver, I provide the periphery of the disk -17 with a series of teeth -23- which are adapted to be engaged by a movable locking member 24 as best seen in Fig 5 and 7, said locking member being guided in a suitable bearing 25 in the side of the switch box and is provided with an external hand piece -26 by which it may be manipulated into and out of engagement with the teeth 23.

The particular form of electric switch, forms no part of my present invention, it

being understood that I may employ any suitable switch or circuit closer brought into action by the swinging of the arm 2- to and from its normal position for opening and closing the circuit through the receiver.

The tubular extension 3- which carries the transmitter and receiver arm -5 is adjustable in the horizontal tubular offset -2 of the standard 1 for the purpose of varying the radius or sweep of action of the receiver and transmitter for different sizes of desks or tables upon which the instrument is mounted, the standard -1 being usually journaled centrally in the table or desk so that the receiver and transmitter may be used from either side thereof. This extension -3- is also rotatable in the tubular oifset 2- of the standard -1 to permit the position of the receiver and transmitter to be. reversed for either the left or right ear and for this purpose, the receiver supporting arm 5- is pivoted or hinged 7 upon the free end of the extension -3- and is capable of being rocked vertically to opposite sides of its swinging axis.

As best seen in Figs. 2, 3' and 4, the'free end of the extension -3-- is provided with a bifurcated head forming opposite arms 26 between which the adjacent end as 28 of the receiver arm --5 is friction ,ally clamped by a clamping screw -27 which constitutes the pivot for the swinging arm '5- and also serves as a means for retaining the transmitter 4- in operative position.

The wires -7- leadin to the transmitter and receiver are preferabFy formed into a cable and passed through the tubular standard --1-, offset --2-- and extension 3--, those leading to the transmitter being brought out through an insulating bushing -30 in one side of the extension 3 near the swingin axis of the arm 5- and enter the back 0 the transmitter through a similar bushing 31- while the wires leading to the receiver are brought out through an insulating bushing 32 in the op 0- site side of the extension --3- and carried around the pivotal pin 27 and thence into the adjacent end of the receiver arm -5 through which they pass to the receiver -6--.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that a very small portion of the wires leading from the transmitter and receiver are exposed near the junctionof the receiver arm 5-- with the extension -3- and in order that the wires extending through the receiver arm may be free from any liability of being cut by the vertical swin ing arm, I provide the latter with shoul ers 34 which ride around and in close proximity to the adjacent concentric ends of the arms 26, the edges of said arms -26 at the side of the pivot at which the receiver wires are located being provided with stop shoulders -35 which are disposed in the ath of movement of the shoulders -34 to imit the swinging of the arm in this direction and thereby avoiding any possibility of unduly strainiugor cutting the wires at this point 11 although the shoulders 35- are located a suflicient distance beyond the vertical plane of the swinging axis of the arm -5 to permit the latter to be moved nearl to a vertical position in this direction as or instance when'the receiver and transmitter are adjusted for use with the right ear or reversed from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to reduce the resonance or reverberation of sounds to a minimum, both the transmitter and receiver are rovided with tubular extensions -3G, ant -37, each of which is connected by a universal joint to its respective instrument so that the extension may be rocked in any direction or rotated about its axis, the extension -36- being provided with a suitable mouth piece -38-- while the receiver extension 37- is provided with an ear As best seen in Fig. 2, .the universal connection of each extension -36 and -37- consists of a hollow ball 40.- which is fitted in a suitable socket -41 the outer end of this socket-being crimped around the ball -38- to retain it against endwise displacement and against which the ball is frictionally held in its adjusted position by a suitable spring -42-.

It will be seen from the fforegoing' de;

scription that both the transmitterand ref' v ear by simply pressing the latter against it.

In the instrument shown in Figs. 1 to 4. inclusive, the transmitter is rigidly secured to the horizontal tubular extension 3- and the receiver arm .5- with the receiver -6 thereon are movable about the swinging axis or ivot -27- of said arm independently of the transmitter 4-.-.

In Figs. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, I have shown a transmitter --4'- as rigidly secureddirectly to a vertically swinging receiver arm -5 which is fractionally clamped between the arms of a bifurcated head 26- by a suitable clamping bolt -27-, the latter constituting the pivotal pin about which the receiver arm with the receiver and transmitter thereon is adapted to turn when adjusting the instrument for use either with the left or right ear.

Aside from the differences above pointed out and that the receiver and transmitter extensions are omitted, the instrument shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive is substantially the same as that shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

In both of these modifications the horizontal offset -2- of the standard 1 ter-' minates in a split hub -45- which is clamped upon the inclosed portion of the extension -3 by a suitable clam -in screw 46- as best seen in'Fig. 10 to 01 the extension -3-- and parts mounted thereon against turning or axial movement.

In the instrument shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, one set ofthe wires which are passed through the extension -3-- are diverted laterally through an opening --47- in the side of the said extension near its junction with the receiver arm 5- and are brought around one side of the pivotal in -27- and through suitable apertures --48- in the arm 5'- and thence into the transmitter -,4' which is secured to the arm -5'-- near the pivot -27'-. The other set of wires are carried through the same opening -47- and enter a similar opening 49-- in the arm '5- near its junction with the extension -3 thereby exposing only a slight portion of the wires near said junction, the remaining ortions of the wires being concealed wit in the standard -1- and its offset -2- and also the extension --3- and receiver arm -5--.

When the transmitter is rigidly secured to the receiver arm in the manner reviously described it is desirable to limit t e vertical rocking movement of said arm to prevent the transmitter from being completely inverted which might render the action of the transmitter more or less unreliable and for this purpose I have provided the head --26' with shoulders -50- in the path of movement of one or more shoulders -51- on theadjacent end of the lug or ear -28- by which the receiver arm is connected to the head 26'-, said stop shoulders bein arranged so as to permit a limited vert ica movement of the receiver arm upon its pivot -27- to opposite sides axis of the extension -3- so that the receiver may be reversed for use either with the right or left ear.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the entire instrument is firmly supported upon the desk or table and becomes a permanent part thereof so' that no part thereof can be damaged by falling uponthe floor and that by concealing the cords within the tubular standard and its telescoping extension and also within the receiver arm, the liability of overstraining the wires'or loosening the connections is reduced to a minimum thereby removing the possibility of interruptions from this source. It will also be observed that by providing the transmitter and receiver with frictionally retained rocking extensions, the distance between the mouth piece and ear piece may be readily adjusted to conform to the position of the head or to varying distances between the mouth and ear of different operators and that this same extension carrying the ear piece and mouth piece respectively reducesto a minimum what is commonly known as the vibrating howl or reverberation of sounds between the diaphragm and also reduces the liability of injury to the ear from heavy electric shocks such as lightning or any suddenly increased voltage inthe circuit, said extensions of the receiver and transmitter also obviating the reverberation of vibrating noises from other instruments which may be used upon the same supporting desk or table. Furthermore, by attaching the transmitter and receiver in the manner shown in Figs. 1 to 4' inclusive, such instruments may be reversed for use of the horizontal ting messages, it is simply necessary to swing the arm 2- with the transmitter and receiver thereon from one position to another by which operation the electric switch is brought into action to cut the receiver into the circuit without the use of keys or cams and when not in use .the arm may be returned to its normal osition thereby cutting out the receiver rom the line circuit so that the operation of making and breaking connection with the line circuit is entirely automatic and when in use the swinging parts may be locked so that considerable pressure of the ear a ainst the receiver may be obtained without liability of breaking the velectric connection and at the same time both hands are available for work which the operator may wish to perform and furthermore the mouth and ear pieces being located at one side of the swinging arm -2-, a clear vision of the work in hand may be had while the instrument is in use, the entire device being capable of use with a local or common battery set and although it is particularly adapted for train despatchers service it isequally applicable for any desk use.

What I' claim is:

1. In a telephone, hollow arms hinged to each other, a transmitter secured to one of said arms at its junction with the other arm, a receiver also secured to one of said arms a suitable distance from the transmitter, and circuit connections passing through said arms and connected to the receiver and to the transmitter.

2. In a telephone, a hollow rotary arm havin a lateral ofl'set extending some distance eyond its swinging axis, an extension on said offset a transmitter secured to the extension, ahollow receiver arm hinged to .the extension at its junction with the transmitter, a receiver on the receiver arm and circuit connections passed through the hollow arms and connected to the transmitter and to the receiver.

3. In a telephone, a hollow arm having a lateral ofi'set provided with a hollow extension adjustable lengthwise of the offset, a hollow receiver arm hinged to the exten sion to swing in a plane arallel therewith, a transmitter secured to the extension at its junction with the receiver arm, a receiver.

secured to the receiver arm, and circuitcom nections passed through the hollow arms and extension and connected to the transmitter and to the receiver.

4. In a telephone, a hollow rotary arm having a lateral offset provided with a hollow extension telescoping therewith and adjustable lengthwise thereof, a hollow receiver arm hinged to the extension to swing in a plane parallel therewith, a transmitter secured to the extension at its junction with the receiver arm, a receiver on the receiver arm, and circuit connections passed through said arms and extension and connected to the transmitter and to the receiver.

5. In a telephone, a switch box, a hollow arm entering theswitch box and 'rotatable relatively thereto and provided with an extension, a switch in the box actuated by the rotation of the arm, a hollow receiver arm hinged to the extension, a transmitter secured to the extension at its junction with the receiver arm, a receiver on the receiver arm, and circuit connections passed through the hollow arms and connecting the switch to the receiver and to the transmitter.

6. In a telephone, a switch box, a hollow arm having an upright portion rotatable in the switch box and provided with a lateral ofiset extending some distance beyond its swinging axis, an extension on the offset a switch in the box actuated by the rotation of the arm, a transmitter mounted on the extension, a hollow receiver arm hinged to the extension at its junction with the transmitter, a receiver on the receiver arm, and circuit connections passed throu h the hollow arms and connecting the switch to the transmitter and its recelver.

7. In a telephone, a switch box, a hollow arm having an' upright portion rotatable in the switch box and provided with a lateral offset havin an extension adjustable lengthwise thereoi a switch in the box actuated by the rotation of said arm, a transmitter secured to the extension, a hollow receiver arm also secured to the extension, a receiver on the receiver arm, and circuit connections passed through said hollow arms and extension and connecting the switch to the transmitter and to the receiver.

8. In a telephone, a switch box, a switch in the box, a hollow rotary arm connected to the switch and rotatable relatively to the box, an extension 011 the arm, means for locking the arm against rotary movement, a

transmitter on the extension, a hollow receiver arm hinged to the extension near its junction with the transmitter, a receiver on the receiver arm, and circuit connections passed through the hollow arms and connecting the switch to the transmitter and to the receiver.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 28th da of Februar 1908. SAMUEL VAN AK N, JR. Witnesses:

H. E. CHASE, C. M- MCCORMAOK. 

